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Skiwear has recently been modernized by emerging brands and fashion designers bold enough to take on technical apparel. While the sport was once dominated by brands that have been around since the early days of the sport itself (Rossignol was founded in 1907, Bogner in 1932, Fusalp in 1952, and Moncler in 1953), skiwear has slowly become relevant in the direct-to-consumer market and heritage fashion houses alike. For decades, shopping for ski meant shopping sport labels with established reputations. And it makes sense; the products require technical knowledge, extreme craftsmanship, and durability, and for a time, there wasn’t an appetite for fashion with a capital F on the ski slopes. But that was then, and this is now. Skiwear has seemingly become the new frontier for high fashion—because what is a piste, if not a snowy catwalk?—with fans of the sport eager to showcase their personal style. Brands, and retailers, meanwhile, have been taking notes.
Vogue’s Guide to the Best Ski Labels:
- The Heritage Pick: Moncler Karakorum hooded down jacket, $2,295
- The All-Weather Jacket: Perfect Moment hooded down ski jacket, $990
- The Waterproof Shell: Arc’Teryx Sentinel Jacket, $750
- The Chic Salopette: Cordova signature ski suit, $980
- The One-and-Done Suit: Fusalp Kira color-block ski suit, $1,490
- The Versatile Pant: Halfdays Alessandra ski pants, $275
- The Après-Ski Must: Shoreditch Ski Club Reva shearling jacket, $1,995
- The Warm Catsuit: We Norwegians ski striped jumpsuit, $299
In 2014, Net-a-Porter launched a ski shop; and in 2020, Dior launched its first-ever ski collection. In 2021, we saw the collaboration between ultra-elite mountain-top members club Aspen X and Prada and Miu Miu’s Fall/Winter collection was hosted at a lodge in Italian Dolomite Alps and read like an ode to après ski, and in 2022, Khaite launched its own ski capsule. It’s all built up into one of the most exciting new categories of fashion, with young brands eager to make their mark.
For Shoreditch Ski Club, which was launched in 2018 by Will Beedle, environmental responsibility is paramount—as is the ability to wear your ski jacket just about everywhere come wintertime. “If you’re launching a brand today, why would you not embed some level of responsible practice and sustainable materiality,” Beedle tells Vogue. And more newcomers have shaken up the market too.
Whether you prefer to shop heritage houses or new designers, the range of recent ski wear on the market suits every style. Below, a roundup of what’s new from emerging labels and timeless names to shop now.
Founded in 1952 in Monestier-de-Clermont, a tiny mountain village near Grenoble, Moncler had a focus on mountain sports from the beginning. Marrying a unique fashion point of view and appreciation for sport, the house took on a more identifiable style when, in 2003, Remo Ruffini joined the brand. Moncler now has over 70 years of consistency in the ski department, bringing luxury and style to the mountain. This season, the brand took a modern approach to skiwear with a bold palette and on-trend color combinations.
Since releasing a skiwear line in 2016, Fendi has specialized in both slope and après-ski wear. Bringing its quintessential monogram print to the mountains, the house’s style is true to itself in the form of ski suits and puffer jackets made for movement.
With a name that evokes tradition, heritage, and the outdoors, it’s no surprise that Polo Ralph Lauren also dabbles in the ski department. The cobalt blue ski suit is a classic take on American skiing, while the stark white set is another timeless approach for a fashion-forward mountain look.
Founded in 1989, Arc’Teryx has become a trending go-to for all things gear—from hiking to mountain climbing to skiing. The brand is best known for marrying an appreciation for savvy design and technical wear—and its approach to skiwear is no different. The lavender set is marked with perfectly placed pockets in a bold color palette, while the all-black look is as sleek as it gets.
Historically a skiwear favorite, Bogner has been a leader in the space for decades. The founder, Maria Bogner, set out to create best-in-class skiwear in 1957 and has been pioneering slope style ever since. This year, the brand released new pieces for its Fire + Ice collection, high performance outerwear designed with cool and warm colors and versatile silhouettes.
With a new ski collection to mark the 2023 season, Vuarnet launched this collection specifically to suit extreme cold and provide protection. The brand, which was founded in 1957 out of the French Alps, has been leading skiwear—specifically, mountain eyewear, for decades. Now, its new collection of apparel sets the tone for a sport-forward season.
Released this month, Balenciaga’s first-ever ski wear collection is equally technical and fashion-forward. The line of ready-to-wear, equipment, gear, and accessories reflect the house’s signature style (think all-black, hints of red, and futuristic silhouettes). The parkas and cargo pants are made from membrane-bonded ripstop with integrated snow skirts, ensuring you stay warm and at ease on the mountain—while being the most on-trend skier, too.
Brought to life in 2009 by Sandra Peet and Lieke van de Berg, Goldbergh approaches ski wear with a focus on fashion, trend, and practicality. Based in Amsterdam, the Dutch brand places an emphasis on craftsmanship, which can be seen in the belt details, zippers, and lined hoods on its one-pieces. If you’re going for a statement moment, don’t sleep on its puff-sleeve suit as a first-day-on-the-mountain look.
Launched in 1972, Fulsap, short for “fuseau from the Alps” (a nod to the brand’s most-loved ski pants) first rose in popularity after Olympic ski champions wore the brand’s apparel in the big games. Founded by two tailors from Annecy who shared a deep appreciation for the sport, Fulsap has since evolved to offer both technical and fashion-friendly skiwear (this year’s playful color palette of blue and purple is an extra fun take).
For fashion girls, there’s really just one ski brand, Perfect Moment. Given the number of “Aspen” sweaters populating chalets and ski lodges, you’d have thought the brand had been around for much longer than it actually has, but it was only launched in 2017 by ski racer and filmmaker Thierry Donard. Signatures of the brand include star motifs, bold houndstooth checks, and yes, a selection of merino turtlenecks emblazoned with on-theme words like “Ski,” “Piste,” and “Après.” No ski wardrobe is complete without just one!
Founded by Wil Beedle, Shoreditch Ski Club fuses downtown street style with the technical requirements of skiwear. Regarding the name, Beedle explains, “our skiwear makes as much sense in the streets of our East London neighborhood of Shoreditch as it does on the slopes of Aspen. And, you know, who doesn’t love a club!” Plus, SSC isn’t limited to your ski trips; Beedle cites seeing his pieces on the streets in between shows at London Fashion Week and art fairs like Frieze London. (“In my humble opinion, they always look cool and confident… and warm!”) The label’s puffers and even leggings are meant to carry you through wintertime as seasonal wardrobe staples. But where Shoreditch Ski Club really sets itself apart from the others is its sustainability practices. The label’s signature ‘Willow’ puffer is constructed with 100% recycled fibers, from the outer shell to the insulating filling—it all makes for the equivalent of about 10 plastic bottles.
Want to look really good zipping down Ajax? As in, evoke a Bond-girl glamour in pieces? Cordova is the brand for you. Named after the Alaskan town, the label was founded in the winter of 2016 and has since made a name for itself as the brand for second-skin ski suits. Styles come with belts because why not show off your waist while you’re showing off your Black Diamond skills?
A Kyiv-based brand founded in 2016, Ienki Ienki is born out of a passion for sport and fashion. With a commitment to maintaining style without compromising quality, the founder, Dima Ievenko, named the brand—pronounced “yenki yenki”—as an ode to roots as a descendant of the Evenki people, one of the largest native groups from northern Siberia. Dime incorporates the northern nations’ heritage wear into her collection by way of bows and bibs. The quilted pants are a most-loved piece from this brand—a standout on the ski market right now.
Launched in October 2014 by Tove Grane and Oyvind Lauritzen, We Norwegians (which is, yes, founded by two Norwegians) offers an all-important but not often-seen component of ski-wear: baselayers. As the popularity of second-skin catsuit ski suits continues to rise, the need for body-skimming knitted base layers does too. Crafted almost entirely from wool (the label is committed to the use of natural fibers), We Norwegians offers merino wool and blended leggings, turtlenecks, and more in simple but sophisticated colorways and patterns–a stripe here, a chevron there. And even if you don’t ski, pieces can be worn like knitwear.
Fans of Ssense, Chopova Lowena, and tie-dyed cashmere—you know, the cool crowd—now have a brand crafting ski wear to outfit them on the slopes. Meet Aztech Mountain, a New York and Aspen-based brand founded by David Roth and Heifara Rutgers in 2013. The offerings of high-performance outerwear feature hints of streetwear with fresh patterns; current offerings include a marbled composition notebook-like pattern and pale lilac puffers.
Though Canadian cold-weather outfitter Mackage is not a new label, having been founded in Montreal in 1999, the brand has recently amped up its ski offerings (also debuting snow-friendly footwear in 2020). For ski suits that will really and truly keep you warm (no jacket required!) and belted puffers trimmed with shearling, Mackage is quickly becoming a go-to brand for the ski set. The look is slick and unfussy and subtly sporty.
Though Jetset was technically founded in St. Mortiz in 1969, the brand ranks as a new name to know, having been fully relaunched in 2018. Though Jetset takes ski seriously, the brand’s offerings are free-spirited with leopard-printed ski suits, separates boldly patterned with flying tropical birds, or a selection of legging-style pants (you can actually ski in!) in a subtle metallic silver hue.
Founded by Karelle Golda, Ariana Ferwerda, and Kiley McKinnon (the latter being an Olympic freestyle aerial skier), Halfdays is a collection of ski clothes designed by women, for women. In addition to ensuring their pieces be well-priced, Halfday offers extended sizing. The idea being that everyone should look and feel good whilst hitting the slopes. Aesthetic-wise, the pieces have everything you need and nothing you don’t; solid-colored separates that can be mixed and matched.
Founded in 2003 by Erin Isakov, Erin Snow was a minimalist fashion girl’s dream ski label. Plus, the brand is highly focused on sustainability; performance ski clothing relies on synthetic fibers, but Erin Snow sees the challenge as an opportunity to integrate recycled materials. All the label’s waterproof pants and jackets are crafted from a fully recycled fiber; plus, their puffer coats feature a vegan, recycled, and recyclable down alternative. Featuring bold stripes, thoughtful color-blocking, and no logos, patterns, or graphics, Erin Snow’s ski pieces are incredibly slick, chic, and timeless.
Gucci is back at it with a capsule collection of skiwear—consider it an assortment or the ski bunny who has everything (see: the monogrammed all-over goggles). There are base layers knitted with the double G logos and quilted faux fur mittens. Per the Italian house, it’s “a selection of pieces envisioned for mountain leisure and beyond.”
Fashion fact: Emilio Pucci’s fashion career began in 1947 when he (an Olympic skier) designed ski ensembles for him and his girlfriend to wear whilst skiing in Switzerland. The rent was history, and today the Pucci label is an all-around fashion destination. So it makes sense that today’s Pucci, helmed by Camille Miceli would continue to offer skiwear. A just-launched collaboration with Fusalp is a limited edition, so get it while you can.
Last, but certainly not least, is Prada’s iconic collection of skiwear. Marked with the brand’s signature red logo, the brand began selling ski wear in the 1990s with puffers and ski suits. Today, the heritage house carries on its mountain legacy with technical wear that looks stylish on and off the slopes.
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